Effect of Ni addition on the structure and properties of Cr-Ni-N coatings deposited by closed-field unbalanced magnetron sputtering ion plating

► Magnetron sputtering is effective to control the composition of Cr-Ni-N coatings. ► The deposited coatings consist of Cr2N, CrN and metallic Ni mixed phases. ► The Cr-Ni-N coatings (20-40 at.% Ni) outperform the Cr-N coatings. ► The coated surfaces have low surface energies.